Saxophone



SAXOPHONE Filed Aug, 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ID ID 3 ,9. \(Jlllll17108771 02": 7 6 Edward VPoweZZ,

' y M\mx w-Wob Feb. 23, 1932. E v POWELL 1,846,454

SAXOPHONE Filed Aug. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Imam/ion:EduJaWd-VPoweZZ,

w -zysi Patented Feb. 23, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD V. POWELL, FARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS SAXOPHONE Application filed August 21, 1929.

This invention relates to a novel B and B flat mechanism for saxophones.There are five ways of getting B flat on a saxophone, all of themrequiring the use of two fingers engaging two keys or one fingerengaging two keys. That with which this invention is concerned is theone which is accomplished by the forefinger of the left hand operatingthe C and B stoppers. The ditliculty of 0 the former way of doing thisis that it is difficult to be sure of closingi both stoppers tightlywith the forefinger ecause the tip of the finger is pressing on the Bkey which is secured to the B stopper while the C key,

which is likewise secured to its stopper, is pressed byanother part ofthe forefinger. This is awkward and inconvenient and the result is aptto be more or less uncertain. This invention is concerned with means foraccomplishing this result with one finger pressing on one key. This keyis in the same position as the B key heretofore used and enables themusician to play the instrument in the manner in which he has beenaccus- I tomed to play heretofore, except that he finds it unnecessaryto flatten his forefinger to depress the C key, because that function isbeing taken care of by the use of the tip only of his forefinger. I

The invention will be best understood by reference to the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings ofone specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a saxophoneembodying the invention, omitting all parts not essential to anunderstanding of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a developed elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are views partly in elevation and partly in sectionillustrating the operation of the mechanism;

- Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 1;

Serial No. 387,363.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 99 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings and to the embodiment of the invention whichis illustrated therein, there is shown a portion of a saxophonecomprising a horn or body 11 (see Fig. 41) having a C opening 12controlled by a C stopper 13 and a B opening 14 controlled by a Bstopper 15. Referring now to Fig. 2, the stopper 13 is secured to an arm16 having a hub 17 which is loosely mounted on a shaft 18, the latterbeing supported by posts 19, 20, 21 and 22 on the body. A spring 23secured to the post 20 engages a lug 24 on the arm 16 and constantlytends to lift the stopper 13 from the opening 12. The opening movementis limited by an arm 25 (see Fig. 8), which normally engages the body11.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the stopper 15 is secured to an arm 26 havinga hub 27 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 18. This arm is connectedby a crank 28 to a hub 29, and all of these parts constitute a rigidand, in effect, one-piece member mounted to rock on the shaft. A spring30 (see Fig. 3) secured to the post 22 engages a lug 31 on the hub 29and constantly tends to lift the stopper 15 from the opening 14. Thismovement is limited by engagement of the top of the stopper 15 with theunder side of an A key 32 (see Fig. 2), which overlies the stopper andis secured to an arm 33 having a hub 84 loosely mounted on the shaft 18.This hub also has secured to it an arm 35, to which a B flat stopper 36is secured. A spring 37 (see Fig. 3) secured to the post 21 and engaginga lug 38 on the hub 34 constantly tends to lift the B flat stopper 36and its key 32. This movement is limited by engagement of an arm 39 (seeFig. 10) with the body 11. This arm when lifted engages a projection 40presented by a crank 41 (now see Fig. 2) having a hub 42 and a hub 43loosely mounted on the shaft 18, the latter hub having secured to it anarm 44 to which there is also secured a C sharp stopper 45. A spring 46(see Fig. 3) secured to the post 19 and engaging a lug 47 on the hub 43constantly tends to lift the C sharp stopper 45. The

crank 41 is engaged by the arm 25 (see Fig. 8) which it will beremembered is a prolongation of the arm 16 which carries the C stopper13. The latter has secured to it a C key 48.

The instrument, as thus far described, is of usual and well knownconstruction except that heretofore the B key has been secured to the Bstopper. According to my invention I employ a B key 49 (see Fig. 2),which, instead of being secured to the B stopper, is a separate anddistinct element and herein is a part of an arm 50 which is providedwith a hub 51 coaxial with the hubs of the B and B flat stoppers. Thishub 51 is loosely mounted on the shaft 18 and requires no spring becauseit has means, herein arms 52 and 53, which overlie the C stopper 13 andthe B stopper 15 respectively. It follows that, when either of thesestoppers is lifted by its associated spring, the B key is also lifted.This movement is limited by an arm 54 (see Fig. 9), which normallyengages the body 11. This arm 54 is also engageable with the crank 41,as a result of which the depression of the B key 49 is accompanied bydepression of the C sharp stopper 45. Inasmuch as the arms 52 and 53overlie the G stopper l3 and B stopper 15 respectively, depression ofthe B stopper is also accompanied by depression of said stoppers. Inother words, depression of the B key by the tip of the finger depressesboth stoppers and therefore does not require pressure of another part ofthe finger on the C key 48 as heretofore. Yet the arrangement is suchthat it leaves the C and B stoppers free for independent operation.

The operation will be clearly understood from an examination of Figs. 4,5, 6 and 7. In Fig. 4, the parts are shown in normal position, bothstoppers 13 and 15, as well as the keys 32'and 49, being elevated. Fig.5

shows the C stopper 13 depressed as it will be by pressure of the fingeron the key 48, but the B key 49 is held in its normal elevated positionby the B stopper 15. In Fig. 6, the B stopper 49 has been depressed bythe tip of the finger and has caused the C stopper 13 and B stopper 15to be depressed and to close the openings 12 and 14 respectively, whilethe A key 32 remains elevated. Fig. 7 shows the B stopper depressed bythe depression of the A key 32, while the C stopper 13 remains elevatedand holds the B stopper 49 elevated.

Thus it is evident that I have provided means for accomplishing theoperation of the C and B stoppers with one finger on one key andwith-the certainty that both stoppers will be depressed and will closetheir respective openings without danger of playing a false note. r

In playing the instrument, the forefinger of the left hand changes itsposition to depress either the C key or the B key, depending uponwhether the scale or chord being played contains the notes B natural, Bflat (or A sharp). Consecutive notes, one of which is B flat (or Asharp) maybe played with greater ease, and hence with greater rapidityand clearness of articulation, when using an instrument embodying myinvention.

V In referring to a B opening or the like and to the correspondingstopper, I designate an openingwhich when closed by its stopper enablesthe note to be sounded on the instrument.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention but withoutlimiting myself thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent tosecure is:

1. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening,a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, and a single key for causing bothstoppers to close both holes simultaneously.

2. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a 0 opening,a'B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, and a single key having meansoverlying both stoppers and adapted to depress them simultaneously.

3. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening,a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, means for depressing bothstoppers simultaneously, and means for depressing said stoppersindependently of each other and independently ofthe firstmentionedmeans.

4. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening,a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, spring means tending to elevatesaid stoppers, and a single means for depressing both stoppers inopposition to said spring means.

5. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a O opening,a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, spring-means tending to elevatesaid stoppers, and means unconnected with said stoppers for depressingthem simultaneously in opposition to said spring means.

6. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening,a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, spring meanstending toelevatesaid stoppers, and a key pivoted coaxially with said stoppers andhaving means to depress both. 7 r

7. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening,aB opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, a key adapted to depress bothstoppers, and spring .means to elevate said stoppers and to act throughsaid stop'pers'to elevate said key.

8. In a saxophone, the combination of-a body provided with a 0 opening,a B opening, a O stopper, a B stopper, a key between said stoppers andcapable of movement independently of said stoppers, said key havingmeans engageable with both stoppers to depress them, and means forelevating said stoppers.

9. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with a C opening,a B opening, a C stopper, a B stopper, means for depressing saidstoppers conjointly, said C stopper having a key by means of which itmay be depressed independently of said means, and an A key adapted todepress said B stopper independently of said means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

EDWARD V. POWELL.

